Big 12 Conference Chief Labels Notre Dame Remarks Following CFP Snub as ‘Totally Out of Bounds’
In a notable criticism, Big 12 chief asserted that Notre Dame's athletic director, Pete Bevacqua, was “totally out of bounds” for public criticisms about the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).
The Source of the Controversy
Notre Dame maintains a football scheduling alliance with the ACC and is a full member in all other sports. The AD has contended that the ACC actively damaged Notre Dame’s bid to enter the College Football Playoff, instead campaigning for the selection of the University of Miami.
“They does great things for Notre Dame, but we bring substantial football value to the ACC, and we didn’t understand why you would go out of your way to try to hurt us in this process,” the athletic director said.
Miami ultimately received the CFP invitation over Notre Dame, mostly due to securing the direct contest between the two teams. Notre Dame's AD further alleged that the ACC ran a coordinated social media push over several weeks showing its support for Miami.
An Egregious Rebuke
Subsequently on Tuesday, Yormark spoke about the allegations at the Sports Business Journal’s Intercollegiate Athletics Forum.
“My opinion is that his conduct has been unacceptable,” Yormark stated. “He is completely out of bounds in his tactics and if he was in the same room, I’d tell him the same thing.”
The pushback is especially notable given Bevacqua’s prominent role. He sits on the College Football Playoff Management Committee alongside the ten FBS conference commissioners, advocating for the interests of football independent Notre Dame.
Historical Support and Future Rumors
Yormark further pointed out the lifeline the ACC offered Notre Dame in the pandemic-disrupted 2020 season, giving the Irish a complete ACC schedule and a berth in its championship game.
“It has been egregious,” he said again. “It’s been egregious attacking the ACC commissioner, when they saved Notre Dame during Covid...”
Speculation had spread about Notre Dame possibly leaving the ACC and aligning with the Big 12. However, the commissioner's pointed comments on Tuesday seem to make such a scenario highly improbable in the near term.
The Irish, who reached the CFP final last season, have indicated they plan to decline a postseason invitation after missing out this year.
